Utility-Maximized Two-Level Game-Theoretic Approach for Bandwidth Allocation in Heterogeneous Radio Access Networks

• Published in: IEEE transactions on vehicular technology Vol. 66; no. 1; pp. 844 - 854
• Main Authors: Zhang, Qixun, Fu, Bin, Feng, Zhiyong, Li, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.01.2017; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Bandwidth; Bandwidths; Channel allocation; Computer simulation; Economic models; Game theory; Games; Heterogeneous networks; Iterative algorithms; Nash equilibrium (NE); Networks; Pricing; Resource management; Stackelberg game; WiMAX; Wireless networks
• ISSN: 0018-9545; 1939-9359
• DOI: 10.1109/TVT.2016.2547642

To solve the optimal bandwidth allocation problem in heterogeneous radio access networks (H-RANs), a two-level game-theoretic approach is proposed to maximize the utility of network providers and users by considering the network resource distributions and service demands. In the area-level game, the Nash equilibrium is achieved by using a noncooperative game for the bandwidth allocation in different areas to maximize network utility. Moreover, in each service area, the traffic-level bandwidth allocation and pricing approach is applied to allocate the appropriate portion of bandwidth for different networks and users using the Stackelberg game, with the network as the leader and the user as the follower. Furthermore, the Stackelberg equilibrium is achieved by an iterative algorithm in this paper. Simulation results prove that the proposed game-theoretic approaches can efficiently and significantly maximize the utility of networks and users.